Material orientation and printing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and process for transporting, orienting and printing indicia upon materials which have dissimilar ends, like capsules, in a predetermined orientation and position. The apparatus includes three rotatable drums in tangential arrangement. The first two drums each include a plurality of peripherally spaced pockets sized and shaped to receive and carry individual capsules. Means are provided for each drum to orient certain preselected capsules from a radial to a longitudinal position with a selected end trailing. The so-oriented capsules are then delivered to the third drum for further processing, like printing, such as spin-printing. Means are provided to receive the longitudinally oriented capsules from the second drum in a longitudinal orientation, and to rotate the capsules from the longitudinal to a transverse orientation, whereupon selected indicia may be applied to the capsules. The third drum including the printing means is also capable of use alone, separate from the first two drums, to apply indicia to a variety of materials or bodies having both similar and dissimilar ends, e.g. capsules, pellets or tablets. Printing is preferably accomplished using a spin printing apparatus which, unlike spin printing apparatus of the prior art, operates upon materials traversing a curving path.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.065,337, filed Aug. 9, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,478, which was acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 954,243, filed Oct.24, 1978, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,477.

This application relates generally to the field of capsule orientingapparatus and more particularly, is directed to a multi-drum type ofcapsule orientation, rectification and printing apparatus including aplurality of tangentially registered pockets which function withexteriorly positioned air jet guides and other means to uniformly orientrandomly fed capsules, and means for receiving the uniformly orientedcapsules for subsequent processing, in particular the printing ofindicia upon the capsules.

It is the usual practice to package medicinal compounds and othermaterials suitable for ingestion in capsules which are made and used invery large numbers. The capsules generally consist of bodies ofpredetermined size and configuration to hold the medicinal and othercompounds and caps which are telescopically arranged over the bodies toretain the filled material therewithin.

During the processing of the capsules, which may be filled or empty, itis common practice to imprint indicia over the surface of the capsules,for example the name of the manufacturer or of the name or batch numberof the material packaged within the capsule or other informationrequired by the Food and Drug Administration or other agencies. This canbe done by "spin printing" an elongated indicia on the capsule or byprinting the capsule in another suitable manner. Spin printing isaccomplished by causing the capsule to spin about its axis as theindicia is imprinted upon the surface of the capsule. The capsules maybe uniformly oriented or rectified prior to reaching the imprintingstation whereby the capsules can be uniformly rotated during theimprinting operation. The rotation occurs in a manner which allowsrotation of the capsule without substantial slippage between theimprinting head and the capsule surface whereby a sharp, precise,printed indicia can be produced on each capsule as it passes through theimprinting station.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior workers in the art have developed apparatus capable oftransporting, orienting, rectifying and in other appropriate wayspositioning, etc. for printing capsules, such as are disclosed in thefollowing U.S. Pat. Nos., which may be considered representative of theprior art:

2,785,786, R. J. Bartlett, CONVEYING APPARATUS

2,859,689, A. Ackley, PELLET MARKING MACHINE

2,931,292, C. E. Ackley, MARKING MACHINES

2,982,234, C. E. Ackley and John Kane, METHOD OF PRINTING WAXED PELLETS,AND PRINTING INK

3,026,792, J. J. Miskel et al, APPARATUS FOR BRANDING UNIFORMLY SHAPEDARTICLES

3,042,183, C. E. Ackley, ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS

3,200,556, C. E. Ackley, CAPSULE SEALING METHOD AND APPARATUS

3,272,118, C. E. Ackley, ARTICLE MARKING MACHINE

3,613,861, Alten E. Whitecar, CAPSULE ORIENTING MACHINE

3,739,909, Garland et al, CAPSULE HANDLING APPARATUS AND METHOD

3,838,766, Wagers, Jr. et al, CAPSULE INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD

3,868,900, Edward M. Ackley, CAPSULE PRECISION PRINTING APPARATUS ANDMETHOD

3,871,295, Edward M. Ackley, CAPSULE ORIENTING APPARATUS AND METHOD OFSPIN PRINTING

3,884,143, Edward M. Ackley, CONVEYOR LINK FOR TABLET PRINTING APPARATUS

3,912,120, Hoppmann et al, CENTRIFUGAL METHOD OF SORTING AND ORIENTINGPARICULATE ARTICLES

3,917,055, VandenBerg et al, CAPSULE RECTIFICATION APPARATUS

3,931,884, Edward M. Ackley, APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING AND ORIENTINGCAPSULES

4,069,753, Edward M. Ackley, deceased, APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR THERANDOM SPIN PRINTING OF CAPSULES

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,931,884 and 4,069,753 show "spin printing" apparatus,and U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,785,786, 2,859,689, 3,026,792 and 3,424,082, showother apparatus and methods for branding or printing indicia on thearticle.

The present apparatus represents an improvement over the prior artcapsule orientation and printing machines for many reasons, e.g. moreversatile, greater efficiency and for other reasons as will becomeapparent from the further description. It provides a reliable, automaticand rapidly functioning device capable of rapidly and uniformlyorienting a plurality of randomly fed capsulses for subsequent printingoperations.

In view of these patents and a fairly advanced state of technology, thepresent machinery and method is quite unobvious and represents a furthersignificant advance in the art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a marked departure has beenmade from indicia application techniques of the prior art. Indiciaapplying apparatus of the prior art operate upon a material or bodywhich is being drawn through the printing station along a generallylinear path. It has been discovered that drawing the material or bodyupon which indicia are to be applied through the printing station, inparticular a spin printing apparatus, along a curved path, providessignificant advantages over the prior art material handling machinery.

The technique of printing indicia (primarily by spin printing) uponmaterials along a curved path is equally applicable to materials orbodies having either similar or dissimilar ends.

In conjunction with materials having similar ends, such as pellets,tablets or soft gelatin capsules, the materials to which indicia are tobe applied are first placed upon a pocket carrier drum, being receivedwithin a plurality of pockets peripherally spaced about the drum, inwhatever orientation is desired for a given application. The pockets areformed as part of a plurality of carriers which are adapted for rotationabout an axis radially oriented to the drum. In this manner, thematerials are then easily rotatable from the position in which they arereceived to whatever position is indicated for the proper application ofindicia to such materials. The drum then draws the materials beneath theprinting apparatus, preferably a spin printing apparatus. Unlike devicesof the prior art, the materials proceed along a curving path, beneaththe printing apparatus, permitting an increased rate of production, aswell as providing improved results.

In conjunction with materials having dissimilar ends, such as hard shellgelatin capsules comprising a body and a telescopically arranged cap,the materials to which indicia are to be applied are first rectified asfollows. First the capsules are loaded from a supply hopper individuallyinto a plurality of peripheral cavities or pockets which are providedabout the periphery of a feed drum. Each of the pockets is similarlyformed and is characterized by a radially extending portion and acommunicating longitudinally or circumferentially extending portion. Thecapsules are fed from the hopper and may be randomly received in thefeed drum pockets, but preferably, the capsules are fed in radialorientation to the radially directed portion. In other of the pockets,the capsules may be in longitudinal orientation within thecircumferentially directed portion. Either the body or the cap may bepositioned radially inwardly within the radial portions of the pocketsand either the body or the cap may be positioned in the leading orforward position within the longitudinal portions of the pockets in viewof the random feeding from the hopper. Thus, the capsules are randomlypositioned each in one pocket, either in the longitudinal or radialpockets, which are at a 90° angle with respect to each other in onesingle plane.

Optionally, a vacuum chest is located immediately adjacent the innersurface of the feed drum if it is desired to assist the positioning ofthe capsule in the pocket in radial position.

A brush means which may be rotating is positioned downstream from thefeed hopper and is positioned in tangential arrangement with the feeddrum.

When, as described, a capsule is seated on the radial cavity of thepocket, a capsule which falls into the longitudinal pocket of the cavitywill not fit into it because of the radially seated capsule. However,the capsule may partially be in the longitudinal cavity. The brush meansassists to dislodge any such longitudinal capsules.

Thus, at this phase of the operation, the pockets have their cavityoccupied by either a longitudinally or radially seated capsule as thefeed drum rotates each pocket away from the rotating brush means.

If preferred, the position of the brush and vacuum means may beinterchanged, so that the vacuum chest will assist in positioning allradially oriented capsules.

The apparatus includes a sizing block and back guide circumferentiallyarranged in overlying relationship to the feed drum downstream of thevacuum and brush means when these are used. The sizing block and backguide means comprises a circumferential channel or slot of sufficientsize to receive the capsule body in rotary, sliding engagementtherewithin and of insufficient size to permit the capsule cap to enterand rotatably slide therewithin.

The sizing block and back guide means further comprises an air jetoriented to direct a jet stream of air upon each respective pocket asthe pocket is rotated beneath the air jet. The air jet operates to liftthe radially seated capsule upwardly on an air cushion to bring it outof the cavity. The air jet impinges on the longitudinal cavity, thenstreams into the radial cavity to create the necessary uplift pressure.

The capsules which had randomly been positioned within the radialportion of the pocket with the cap radially inwardly (or downwardly)positioned and the body radially outwardly (or upwardly) positioned areurged upwardly or radially outwardly until the outward portion of thebody enters the arcuate slot. There the capsule pivots from the radialposition to the longitudinal position. The sizing block and back guidemeans then act to retain the capsule so pivoted in the longitudinallyaligned position as the feed drum is rotated. Thus, the capsules whichare longitudinally aligned are travelling with their cap portiontrailing. The capsules which are remaining in the radially extendingpocket, are processed as follows.

Those capsules originally oriented within the radially directed portionsof the pocket with the cap facing radially outwardly will not be pivotedto the longitudinal position inasmuch as the arcuate slot is ofinsufficient width to receive the cap in rotary, sliding engagementtherewithin. Accordingly, the action of the air jet will merely serve toslightly elevate or float the capsule within the pocket until the capbumps against the marginal edges of the arcuate slot which edges thenact to prevent further radially outwardly movement of the capsule.Accordingly, once the capsules with the caps positioned radiallyoutwardly are rotated past the influence of the air jets, these capsuleswill remain radially oriented and seated within the radial portions ofthe pockets in the same orientation as originally deposited from thefeed hopper.

A transfer drum of similar configuration to the feed drum istangentially arranged and is rotatably driven in synchronism with thefeed drum whereby the pockets in the transfer drum are tangentiallybrought into register with the pockets in the feed drum as the feed drumand the transfer drum are rotated in synchronism.

Those capsules which were longitudinally oriented by the air jet in thefeed drum will be received in the transfer drum in the same longitudinalalignment. Those capsules which were radially oriented with the capoutwardly positioned will be radially transferred to a correspondingpocket in the transfer drum. The transfer of the capsules, whether inlongitudinal or radial position, ideally proceeds by gravity. It may beassisted by air, such as an air jet which helps to dislodge and transferthe capsule. The transfer may also be assisted by a vacuum created inthe pocket in which the capsule will be transferred, or other means.When the capsule has been transferred to the radial portion of thepocket in the transfer drum, its position is such that it willessentially have been turned upside down.

Unlike the apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,753 where thetransferred capsules are turned from a transverse direction with respectto the machine travel, in the apparatus and method herein described thecapsules remain in the same plane, i.e., radially, but they are invertedin the transfer. Moreover, the pockets of the apparatus described hereinneed not, and are not configured as the pockets of said patents whichinclude a generally radially-directed pocket, a generallylongitudinally-directed pocket, and a generally transversely-directedpocket. Nor does the pocket herein described need an angularly slopingbottom surface as described in said patent.

It is to be noted that an important object of that patent and othersdesignated above, is to dispose the capsule in a position well suitedfor direct spin printing, i.e., in the transverse position relative tothe direction of the machine travel. Although not so positioned in thesecond drum, the machine in accordance with the present invention isprovided with a third drum which then disposes the capsules in aposition best suited for spin printing.

A second or lower back guide circumferentially overfits the transferdrum and is similarly equipped with an air jet means. As the transferdrum is rotated past the air jet, those capsules that are alreadylongitudinally positioned in the longitudinal portion will be traversedthrough the lower back guide without further orientation, with the bodyportion leading and the cap trailing. Those capsules which are radiallypositioned within the radially directed portions of the feed drumpockets, i.e. the capsules with their cap now radially inwardlypositioned, will be acted upon by the air jet. The air jet thus assiststo raise the capsule cap portion out of the pocket and to introduce thebody into the arcuate space defined between the surface of the transferdrum and the back guide. The air jet acts to longitudinally align suchcapsules in the longitudinal portions of the pockets with the bodyportion leading and the cap trailing. Thus, the air operates incooperation with the rotary movement of the drum and the occasionalfrictional engagement of the capsule with the inner portion of the backguide as the drum rotates, and the pivoting movement of the capsuleabout the inside shoulder of the pocket.

Thus the capsules will be similarly oriented after handling by the feeddrum and the transfer drum, whereby each oriented capsule is positionedwithin the longitudinally extending portion of the pocket with the bodyin leading orientation and with the cap in trailing position. Capsuleswhich have not been properly oriented by the feed drum and the transferdrum will generally be radially oriented and can therefore readily beremoved from the transfer drum, rather than being delivered for furtherprocessing.

A second vacuum chest may be provided to assist in the positioning ofthe capsules in this second drum.

Then, in accordance with the present invention, a pocketcarrier drum istangentially arranged and is rotatably driven in synchronism with thetransfer drum whereby pockets of the carrier drum are brought intoregister with the pockets in the transfer drum as the carrier drum andtransfer drum are rotated in synchronism. The oriented capsules arelongitudinally transferred from the transfer drum to the carrier drum.

The carrier drum is again provided with a plurality of rotatable carriermeans, each having a pocket for receiving a capsule therein. The carriermeans are each adapted to rotate in response to a cam and followermechanism which is timed so that the capsule is re-oriented from alongitudinal to a transverse position just prior to entering theprinting stage of operation. The capsule is then positioned in a mannerwhich is conducive to the printing on that capsule of any desiredindicia, primarily by "spin printing" techniques.

The printed capsules are then delivered from the printing drum forfurther processing, e.g. packaging. The capsules are preferablydelivered from the carrier drum in their transverse orientation, so thatthey may be rolled to the next stage of processing. The carrier meansare then returned to their original orientation, with their pocketslongitudinally aligned, in order to accept further capsules forprinting. It is also possible to first return the carrier means to thisoriginal position, and then deliver the capsules from the carrier drum,if desired.

An air jet means may be provided at the position where the capsules aredelivered from the carrier drum, which air jet is positioned to assistthe capsules in their movement.

Although the pocket carrier drum illustrated in particularly welladapted to receive and process a capsule from a feed drum and transferdrum which have already received and uniformly oriented a series ofcapsules for subsequent processing, it is important to note that thecarrier drum illustrated is equally capable of operating alone, or inconjunction with other machinery, having applicability to a wide varietyof materials to be processed, such as pellets, tablets, and both softand hard shell gelatin capsules.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved capsule rectification and printing apparatus of the type setforth.

It is another object of the present invention to provide novel capsulerectification and printing apparatus that is completely automatic inoperation and which is designed to simply and speedily rectify aplurality of randomly fed capsules for the printing on the capsules ofany desired indicia.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide anapparatus wherein the capsules are rectified and oriented in the oneplane, the plane of rotation, for delivery to a printing means.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel capsulerectification and printing apparatus comprising a feed drum and atangential transfer drum including a back guide means and an air jetmeans associated with each drum, wherein at least some of the capsulestransported by the feed drum are longitudinally oriented by the feeddrum air jet means and whereby the remaining capsules are longitudinallyoriented by the air jet streams associated with the transfer drum, and acarrier drum in tangential arrangement with the transfer drum, whichcarrier drum receives the longitudinally oriented capsules, rotates thecapsules from the longitudinal to a transverse orientation, and thencauses the transversely oriented capsules to pass through a printingapparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel capsulerectification and printing apparatus which includes a first feed drumwhich picks up capsules from a hopper in random arrangement, firstorientation means to selectively rectify some of the capsules in thefeed drum to a longitudinal position with respect to the path ofmovement, transfer means to transfer longitudinally oriented capsulesfrom the first feed drum to a second transfer drum in longitudinalalignment, said transfer means further transferring radially orientedcapsules from the first feed drum to the second transfer drum in radialalignment, second orientation means to longitudinally orient theremaining of said capsules in the second transfer drum and, inaccordance with the present invention, transfer means to transfer thelongitudinally oriented capsules from the second transfer drum to athird carrier drum in a longitudinal orientation, third orientationmeans to transfer the longitudinally oriented capsules to a transverseorientation, and printing means for applying indicia to the transverselyoriented capsules.

In this manner the capsules are located on the carrier drum in aposition ideally adapted for "spin printing". By eliminating the thirdorientation means it is also possible to leave the capsules in alongitudinal orientation with respect to the direction of travel,allowing indicia to be applied to the capsules using other printingtechniques.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel capsulerectification and printing apparatus comprising a hopper containing alarge number of capsules in random arrangement, first and second rotarydrum means and first and second guide means including air jets, all ofwhich are adapted to sort out and orient the capsules to that they areuniformly spaced apart about the second drum means in longitudinalorientation with the capsule body forwardly positioned and with thecapsule caps rearwardly positioned relative to the direction of travel,and third rotary drum means adapted to receive the longitudinallyoriented capsules from the second drum means in a longitudinalorientation, to transfer the longitudinally oriented capsules to atransverse orientation, and to print indicia on the transverselyoriented capsules.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel capsulerectification and printing apparatus comprising a first feed drum, saiddrum including a plurality of pockets each having a radially directedportion and a longitudinally directed portion, a first capsuleorientation means associated with the feed drum to longitudinally orientat least some of the capsules contained within the pockets, a transferdrum in tangential arrangement and synchronized movement with the feeddrum, the transfer drum comprising a plurality of similar pockets eachhaving a radially directed portion and a longitudinally directedportion, a second orientation means associated with the transfer drumwhereby all capsules not longitudinally oriented by the firstorientation means will be oriented in the transfer drum pocket by thesecond orientation means, and a carrier drum in tangential arrangementand synchronized movement with the transfer drum, the carrier drumcomprising a plurality of carrier means including pockets adapted to bebrought in register with the pockets of the transfer drum as thecapsules are delivered from the transfer drum to the carrier drum, and athird orientation means associated with the carrier drum whereby thelongitudinally oriented capsules are transferred to a transverseorientation for the printing of indicia thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel capsulerectification and printing apparatus that is simple in design, yetversatile and efficient.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention will be had byreferring to the following description and claims of a preferredembodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views, and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating thepreferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken alongline 2--2 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken alongline 3--3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken alongline 4--4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the FIG. 1 apparatus showingan alternative arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Although specific terms are used in the following description for thesake of clarity these terms are intended to refer only to the particularstructure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings,and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a capsulerectification apparatus designated 10 which comprises generally a hoppermeans 12, a rotary brush means 14, a feed drum means 16, a transfer drummeans 18, and a carrier drum means 150, all of which cooperate torectify a plurality of randomly oriented capsules 20 for printing ormarking.

The hopper means 12 is mounted in stationary relationship upon asuitable support (not shown) and includes an inclined bottom 24 whichterminates at a capsule opening 26 to facilitate feeding the capsules 20one at a time to the drum means 16. As shown, the angle of inclinationof the hopper bottom 24 is designed to radially align the bottom wherebythe individual capsules will be radially fed toward the feed drum means16.

However, a hopper may be used from which the capsules will be fed notonly radially but also deposited in a longitudinal position in thecavity.

The feed drum means 16 comprises generally a feed drum 28 which isrotated in the direction of the arrow 30 by its associated shaft 32 inknown manner. A similarly configured transfer drum 34 rotates insubstantially tangential relationship below the feed drum 28 in thedirection of the arrow 36 upon rotation of its affixed shaft 38. Theshafts 32, 38, and their respectively affixed drums 28, 34 are rotatedin synchronism by a motor and drive apparatus (not shown) in a suitablemanner well known to those skilled in the art.

The feed drum 28 and transfer drum 34 are similar in construction andare each provided with a plurality of equally spaced, peripherallypositioned, uniformly configured, capsule receiving pockets ordepressions 40, 42. While a single peripheral row of pockets 40, 42 ineach of the drums 28, 34 is illustrated, it will be appreciated thatother similar rows can be transversely arranged about the peripheries ofthe respective feed drum 28 and transfer drum 34 to similarly feed andrectify simultaneously greater numbers of capsules 20, if so desired.

Still referring to FIG. 1, it will be observed that the feed drumpockets 40 and the transfer drum pockets 42 are substantially identicalin that both pockets comprise a radially extending portion 44 and acommunicating, longitudinally extending portion 46 which portions aredefined one from the other by an intermediate shoulder 48. In otherrespects, the pockets in the respective drums can differ from eachother. For instance, while there is a need for shoulder 48 or equivalentmeans to assist in the pivoting of the capsule, in the feed drum, thereis no such requirement in the pockets in the transfer drum, where suchshoulder 48' can well be shaped differently, e.g., be more slanted or atan incline, or otherwise as desired. The radially extending portions 44and longitudinally extending portions 46 of the feed drum pockets 40 andtransfer drum pockets 42 are sized and configured to receive and retainone of the capsules 20.

As hereinbefore set forth, the capsules can be conventional inconfiguration and comprise a generally cylindrical body 50 with agenerally cylindrical cap 52 in overfitting, telescopic arrangement. Thediameter of the cap 52 is slightly greater than the diameter of thecapsule body 50 and it is this difference in size that is utilized forcapsule rectification purposes in the manner hereinafter more fullydescribed.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of randomly oriented capsules 20feed along the inclined bottom 24 of the hopper means 12 through theopening 26, and one capsule individually enters each of the pockets 40as the feed drum 28 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 30. Thecapsules 20 will be presented to the feed drum 28 in generally radialorientation and will be received within the radially extending portions44 of the feed drum pockets 40. Some of the capsules 20 will fallnaturally into the radially extending portions 44 in an upright positionwith the respective bodies 50 positioned radially outwardly from thecaps 52. Others of the capsules 20 will fall naturally with therespective caps 52 positioned radially outwardly from the respectivebodies 50; capsules fed to the hopper are initially in haphazard orrandom orientation. As the capsules gradually descend in the hopper,they become aligned into a radial position with the assistance ofconventional combs or "fingers"--forming channels to form rows of theso-arranged capsules. It is to be noted however, that if a hopper is notso constructed, the capsules will fall also into the longitudinal cavityof the pockets and then be processed in accordance with the apparatusand method of the invention.

A vacuum chest 112 is positioned and functions as described hereinafter.

A rotary brush means 14 is positioned arcuately downstream from thehopper means 12 and is rotated by its shaft 54 in the direction of thearrow 56 to assist in sweeping out and away any capsules 20 that mightbe lying in a generally longitudinal position partially overlapping witha capsule in the radial position, and to assist in sweeping anylongitudinally oriented capsules into a radial position within itsassociated radially extending cavity portion 44, when that cavity isfree.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be observed that feed drum means16 further comprises an arcuate sizing block and back guide 58 which ispositioned in circumferentially overlying relationship to the feed drum28 at the lower quadrant thereof. At the upstream end, the sizing blockand back guide 58 is provided with an arcuate slot 60 which extends inlength over one or more of the spaced pockets 40 to facilitate capsulerectification therewithin. The sizing block and back guide 58 is spacedperipherally outwardly from the surface of the feed drum 28 to define analigning space 66 therebetween, which space is less in width than thediameter of the body 50 of a capsule 20. The block and back guide 58 canbe positioned anywhere against the feed drum in the space downstream thehopper and upstream the transfer point from one to the other drum. Thelength of the slot is a matter of judicious choice: when the rotationalspeed of the drum is comparatively fast, the slot preferably will extendover a plurality of pockets; desirably it will be shorter when the speedis lower. It is evident that the invention contemplates such slots orspaces to be of any length as may be desired.

Associated in operation with the feed drum means 16, an air jet 62 issuitably supported and positioned to direct a radial air stream throughan opening 64, provided in the guide 52, into arcuate slot 60 forcapsule orientation in the manner hereinafter more fully set forth.

Still referring to FIG. 2, two possible conditions are illustrated. Inthe left representation the capsule cap 52 is radially inwardlypositioned within the radially extending pocket portion 44. In the rightrepresentation, the capsule body 50 is radially inwardly positionedwithin the radially extending pocket portion 44. Observing particularlythe left representation, upon application of a jet of air from the airjet 62 through the opening 64, the air jet stream will impinge directlyupon the pocket portions 46, 44 as the feed drum 28 is rotated. Thedirected air stream extends radially inwardly to the bottom of theradially extending pocket portion 44 where it turns and by applyingforces against the bottom of the capsule, tends to urge the capsule 20radially outwardly. In the case of the left representation in FIG. 2, itwill be observed that the width of the slot 60 is just sufficient toadmit the body 50 of the capsule 20 in rotary, sliding engagementtherewithin. Once the capsule 20 has been raised within its respectivepocket 40 by the force from the air jet 62, the capsule 20 will floatwitin the space defined between the pocket 40 and the guide 58 and willpivot about the intermediate shoulder 48 to enter the longitudinallyextending portion 46 of its pocket 40 in the manner illustrated inFIG. 1. The aligning space 66 defined between the outer periphery of thefeed drum 28 and the guide 58 is just sufficiently wide to permitpassage of a capsule 20 in its longitudinally aligned position, withcapsule body 50 forwardly positioned within the space 66 when positionedin a longitudinally extending pocket portion 46.

It may be noted that the smooth change of position of the capsule fromthe radial to the longitudinal position is assisted by the rotary travelof the drum while the capsule pivots into the direction of travel. Yetnotwithstanding the drag of the capsule on the interior of the guide,the capsule will not reseat itself radially into the pocket due to thesize of the aligning space.

Referring now to the right capsule illustrated in FIG. 2, it will beobserved that this capsule is oriented within the radially extendingportion 44 in a position with the capsule body 50' extending radiallydownwardly and with the capsule cap 52' extending radially outwardly.Accordingly, when the jet of air from the air jet 62 is directed intothe bottom of the pocket 40 in a manner to impinge upwardly upon thecapsule 20', to force the capsule upwardly and radially outwardly fromthe pocket 40, the cap 52' will be urged toward engagement with themarginal edges 68, 70 which define the arcuate slot 60. However, ashereinbefore indicated, the width of the slot 60 is fabricated less thanthe diameter of the cap portion 52' and the marginal edges 68, 70 whichdefine the slot 60 act to prevent the entrance of the capsule capportion 52' into the slot 60. Under these circumstances, the capsule 20'cannot rise to pivot about the shoulder 48 and so will remain orientedwithin the pocket 40 in a radially directed position, with the capsulebody 50' positioned downwardly within the radially extending pocketportion 44. Accordingly, in this capsule orientation, the air streamfrom the air jet 62 cannot urge the capsule 20' into its longitudinallyaligned position within the longitudinally extending portion 44. As thefeed drum 28 continues to rotate in the direction of the arrow 30, theinterior surface 72 of the guide 58 will act to maintain the capsule 20'in its radially extended position.

Accordingly, after the capsules 20 are rotated past the air jet 62, thecapsules 20 approach the interface 74 between the feed drum 28 and thetransfer drum 34 in either a longitudinally oriented position with thecapsule body 50 leading, as indicated at 76, or in a radially orientedposition with the capsule body 50 extending radially inwardly asindicated at 78.

The distance from the face of the guide 58 facing the drum may beadjusted by adjusting the guide; likewise the width of slot 60 can beconstructed to admit different sized capsules, i.e. of differentdiameters.

Still referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a stationary vacuum chest112 which is located immediately adjacent to the inner surface of feeddrum means 16 to aid in seating the capsules 20 within the respectivefeed drum pockets 40 as the capsules are fed from the hopper means 12.The vacuum within the chest 112 is communicated with the individualpockets 40 through small holes or conduits as the pockets are rotatedpast the chest upon rotation of the feed drum means 16 in the directionindicated by the arrow 30. A conduit 116 interconnects the vacuum chest112 with a known vacuum source, which may be introduced immediatelyadjacent to the feed drum shaft 32.

Since the capsules generally fall into the cavity of the drum in aradial position, the vacuum chest is provided as a further aid, but isnot a requirement, to assist in seating such capsules.

In the lower portion of the feed drum, below the horizontal at orapproximately at the point of tangential contact of the feed drum 28 andthe transfer drum 30 and the inclined bottom 24 of the hopper means 12,there is provided an air chest 118 immediately adjacent to the innersurface of the feed drum means 16. A conduit 120 communicates theinterior of the air chest 118 with a known source of air, which sourcemay be introduced immediately adjacent to the feed drum shaft 32 in anysuitable, known manner. The air means, as described above, assist in thetransfer of the capsules from one drum to the other by creating a backpressure on the bottom of the capsule to assist in dislodging it.

Similarly, the transfer drum means 18 can be equipped with a vacuumchest 122 with intercommunicating vacuum conduit 124 to aid in thecapsule transfer; and with an air chest 126 with intercommunicating airconduit 128 for clean out purposes.

The air chest 126 preferably is angularly spaced from vacuum chest 122and is located below the horizontal in a position rotatively beyond theposition at which the capsule is discharged from the transfer drum means18. This vacuum chest also is not necessary to the operation and for themachinery of the invention.

As above set forth and as illustrated in FIG. 1, it will be noted thattransfer drum 34 is configured similarly to feed drum 28 and includes aplurality of similarly positioned, circumferentially spaced pockets 42which are rotated into registry beneath the feed drum pockets 40 as thetransfer drum 34 is rotated in synchronism in the direction of the arrow36. As was noted above, the pockets need not be identical with those inthe feed drum. When a longitudinally aligned capsule which has beenoriented as indicated at 76 in the feed drum means 16 approaches theinterface 74, transfer from the feed drum 28 to the transfer drum 34will occur assisted or principally by gravity, as well as by centrifugalforce and momentum. The longitudinally oriented capsule will be receivedin the longitudinally extending pocket portion 46 of a transfer drumpocket 42 also in longitudinal alignment, as indicated at 80. It isnoteworthy that the capsule body 50 will still be forwardly positionedin the desired orientation after transfer to the transfer drum 34.

When a radially positioned capsule 20 which is radially oriented withina feed drum pocket 40 as indicated at 78 approaches the interface 74,transfer from the feed drum 28 to the transfer drum 34 will occurassisted by or principally caused by gravity, as indicated at thenumeral 82, as described above. It is noteworthy that after the transferfrom the feed drum 28 to the transfer drum 34, the capsule 20 will stillbe radially oriented, but at this time within a transfer drum pocket 42.As illustrated, after transfer, the capsule cap 52 then will bedownwardly or radially inwardly oriented within the radially extendingportion 44 of the transfer drum pocket 42 as indicated at 84.

Referring to FIG. 1, it will be observed that the transfer drum means 18includes an arcuate back guide 58' which includes an air jet 62' and anair jet opening 64'. The guide interior surface 72' defines an aligningspace 66' between the back guide 58' and the outer periphery of thetransfer drum 34. In the manner hereinabove set forth, the air jet 62'directs a stream of air through the opening 64' and into the bottom ofeach pocket 44 as the transfer drum 34 is rotated. Those capsuleswherein the capsule body 50 has been radially positioned or oriented attransfer will be acted upon by the air stream.

The forces of the air blast will float the radially oriented capsulesupwardly and out of the pocket portion 44 into the space 66' definedbetween the back guide 58' and the transfer drum 34. Elevation of acapsule 20 within its radial pocket portion 44 allows the capsule topivot about the shoulder 48 as indicated at 110 to a longitudinallyoriented position with the body portion 50 leading as indicated at 76'.

In this manner, all of the capsules 20 which were not longitudinallyoriented by the feed drum means 16 at the upper feed drum 28 will belongitudinally oriented by the function of the transfer drum means 18 atthe lower, transfer drum 34. The aligning space 66' defined between theperiphery of the transfer drum 34 and the radially inward surface 72' ofthe guide 58' cams downwardly and serves to maintain the capsules 20 intheir longitudinally oriented position as they are directed along theinward surface 72' of the guide 58', with the respective capsule bodies50 extending forwardly and the respective capsule caps 52 extendingrearwardly relative to the direction of travel.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, the lower back guide 58' terminates atits lower extremity 90 at an interface with pocket-carrier drum means149. Pocket-carrier drum means 149 comprises generally a carrier drum150 which is rotated in substantially tangential relationship below thetransfer drum means 18 in the direction of arrow 198 by its associatedshaft 152 in known manner. Shaft 152 is rotated in syncronism with theshafts 32,38 by a motor and drive apparatus (not shown) in suitablemanner.

Carrier drum 150 generally comprises a plurality of carrier means 154journalled for rotation within a plurality of cavities 156, preferablyregularly spaced and peripherally positioned about carrier drum 150.

Cavities 156 comprises two, generally cylindrical, concentric portions204, 206, lower portion 204 preferably having a smaller diameter thanupper portion 206. Lower portion 204 is open at its bottom, permittingcommunication between the cavities 156 and the area centrally defined bythe carrier drum 150. Upper portion 206 is open at its top.

Carrier means 154 comprise a lower, base portion 160 and an upper pocketcontaining portion 164, each of which is generally cylindrical in shape.Lower base portion 160 is preferably of a smaller diameter than is upperpocket portion 164, forming a flange 162 at the interface betweenportions 160,164.

The base portion 160 of carrier means 154 is positioned within the lowerportion 204 of cavity 156. Pocket containing portion 164 is positionedwithin the upper portion 206 of cavity 156. The flange 162 definedbetween base portion 160 and pocket containing portion 164 of carriermeans 154 is positioned to seat upon the abutting shoulder 166 ofcavities 156. The carrier means 154 may then be retained within thecavities 156 by a variety of attachment means 196, e.g. c-clip rings.

In this manner, the carrier means 154 are retained and journalled forrotation within the cavities 156 of carrier drum 150, the pocketcontaining portion 164 of the carrier means 154 extending to a pointapproximately in alignment with the surface of the carrier drum 150.Rotation of the carrier means 154 within the cavities 156 may beassisted by roller bearings 202, if desired, positioned between thesurfaces defined by lower portion 204 of cavities 156, and base portion160 of carrier means 154.

The pocket containing portion 164 of carrier means 154 are provided withuniformly configured, capsule receiving pockets or depressions 158.Pockets or depressions 158 are generally cylindrically configured, beingsized to accept a capsule 20 therein in a manner which holds the capsule20 in proper position during the printing process, and which alsopermits the capsules to axially spin during printing. Pockets 158 arealso generally configured in a shape substantially equivalent to theperipheral shape of the longitudinally extending portions 44 of thepockets 42 of transfer drum 34. The carrier drum 150 and transfer drum34 are operatively associated with each other so that the pockets 158 ofthe carrier drum 150 are brought into alignment with the longitudinallyextending portions 44 of the pockets 42 of the transfer drum 34 ascarrier drum 150 and transfer drum 34 are driven in synchronism, in thedirection shown by arrows 198, 36 respectively. Consequently, alongitudinally oriented capsule 20, with its cap portion 52 trailing, isdelivered from transfer drum 34 to carrier drum 150 in a longitudinalorientation with its cap portion 52 still trailing.

Extending longitudinally downward from base portion 160 is follower 168which is offset from the axis of the carrier means 154, acting as aneccentric, and which, in combination with cam means 170, causes thecarrier means 154 to rotate in a manner to be more fully describedbelow. Cam means 170 is peripherally connected to a stationary barrel172 which is concentrically positioned interior to carrier drum 150, andwhich is adjustably fixed in position by torque arm 174 and adjustmentbracket 176. Sliding torque arm 174 along bracket 176 causes stationarybarrel 172 to rotate, thereby retarding or advancing the timing functionrepresented by cam means 170, and thus rotation of the carrier means.

A variety of camming means 170 may be used for this purpose. Forexample, a cam in the shape of a ring, peripherally extending aroundbarrel 172, may be used in conjunction with carrier means 154 which arenormally biased so that the pockets 158 are normally longitudinallyoriented, such as by a spring or other similar mechanism. The follower168 would then interact with the cam ring to cause the desired motor ofcarrier means 154. Cam means 170 may also be in the form of a slot orgroove extending peripherally about barrel 172 which is positioned toengage follower 168 to cause carrier means 154 to rotate as required.

Also provided in conjunction with carrier drum 150 are spin printingapparatus 178 and delivery tray 180.

Spin printing apparatus 178 comprises a transfer roller 182 which ispositioned to extend into a quantity of ink or dye 184 contained byreservoir 186. Ink or dye 184 is picked up by transfer roller 182 forapplication to print roller 188, which contains the indicia to beapplied to the capsules 20 as they are passed beneath the peripheraledge of the print roller 188. Squeegee 190 is optionally provided toevenly distribute ink or dye 184 along transfer roller 182.

It is also possible to place additional printing apparatus 178 about theperiphery of the carrier drum 150 in order to provide additionalversatility to the printing operation. One such example of this isillustrated in FIG. 1 at 178'. Printing apparatus 178' is essentiallysimilar to printing apparatus 178, however the print roller 188' wouldgenerally be provided with indicia different from those provided inconjunction with print roller 188. Print rollers 188, 188' could even beinterchangeable if desired.

In order to further faciltate the printing process, it is not necessarythat each printing apparatus be perpendicular to the capsule 20 which isbeing printed. Rather, the printing apparatus may be positioned at anyangle between 30° and 90° to the capsule printing surface. In thismanner, a wide variety of indicia may be applied to each capsule 20,including wording, markings, shapes, colors, etc.

Delivery tray 180 comprises a sloping base 192 and sides 194 which arepositioned to catch a capsule 20 which has been printed as it rolls outof the pockets 158 of carrier drum 150. Printed capsules 20 are thencaused to roll down the sloping base 192 toward subsequent capsuleprocessing machinery, as illustrated by arrow 208.

In operation, capsules 20 are received from transfer drum 18 by thepockets 158 of the carrier drum 150 in a substantially longitudinalorientation, with their cap portion 52 trailing. As illustrated in FIGS.3 and 4, as the carrier drum 150 rotates in the direction of arrow 198,the follower 168 of carrier means 154 is brought into contact with thetiming incline 210 of cam means 170, shown at 212 in FIG. 1. The carriermeans 154, which are normally biased so that pockets 158 arelongitudinally oriented are thus caused to rotate about their axis,causing the pockets 158 to rotate from a substantially longitudinalalignment to a substantially transverse alignment. This transition isshown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 as follows. At position 214 the pocket 158 andcapsule 20 are longitudinally positioned. At positions 216, 218, thepocket 158 and capsule 20 are rotating, as in the entire carrier means154, in response to the interaction between the timing incline 210 ofcam means 170 and follower 168. Finally, at position 220, the pocket 158and capsule 20 contained therein are transversely oriented. The pockets158, containing uniformly oriented, transversely aligned capsules 20,are then caused to advance beneath the print roller 188 whereupon thedesired indicia may be applied to the capsules 20. As the print roller188 passes over the surface of the capsules 20, the capsules 20 arepermitted to axially spin, so that a clear, neat and sharp image isprinted thereon.

After printing the capsules 20 are advanced to delivery tray 180 wherethey are permitted to roll out of the pockets 158, down the sloping base192, toward subsequent capsule processing machinery, e.g. packaging.This process may be facilitated by air jet 198 which is directed towardthe pockets 158 as they approach the delivery tray 180.

The empty carrier means 154 are then further rotated in the direction ofarrow 198 toward a timing decline at 222 which returns the carrier means154 to their original orientation. The pockets 158 of carrier means 154are then caused to rotate back toward their original position, asfollower 168 is caused to advance along the timing decline of cam means170, at 222. The now longitudinally aligned pockets 158 of carrier means154 are again ready to accept additional capsules 20 from transfer drum34 for further printing and processing.

The positioning of timing incline 210 and timing decline 222 may bevaried by rotating barrel 172 as previously described, permitting themovement of carrier means 154 to be advanced or retarded as desired.Timing functions other than that described above may be provided byvarying the positioning of timing incline 210 and timing decline 222with respect to carrier drum 150, or with respect to each other.

The foregoing apparatus is particularly well suited for the spinprinting of selected indicia upon a plurality of capsules 20. However,the foregoing apparatus is also capable of use in conjunction with otherprinting techniques. The timing function represented by cam means 170may be varied if needed. If desired, cam means 170 may even be removed,allowing the pockets 158 to remain substantially longitudinally alignedthroughout the entire process. Many variations are clearly possible.

Although the foregoing discussion illustrates use of only a single rowof carrier means 154, it is also equally possible to provide a pluralityof juxtaposed, peripherally spaced rows of carrier means 154, to accepta plurality of capsules 20 from a plurality of rows provided in feeddrum 28 and transfer drum 34.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference tocapsules, it is intended and contemplated that any material whatever maybe processed in and in accordance with the apparatus and process of theinvention whenever the materials processed have two ends and it isdesired to position, orient or arrange these materials with one selectedend forward and the other trailing prior to printing indicia on suchmaterials. It is to be noted in that connection that the materials canbe hollow or not filled or filled, etc. Also, it is not necessary thatthe material have a so called cap and body portion, as is illustrated byway of example only, but the material may have a protrusion or asperityor other means or other shape, or be of such configuration that the oneend of the body will not enter into slot or space 60', thus selectivelypermitting the body to enter the space by one of its ends but not by theother.

Moreover, the pocket carrier drum means 149 is not only applicable foruse in conjunction with materials having dissimilar ends, which must berectified or oriented prior to entering printing operations. Manyapplications call for the applying of indicia to materials or bodieshaving similar ends, such as pellets, tablets or soft gelatin capsules,which materials either have or have not been previously classified ororiented. The pocket carrier drum means 149 of the present inventions iswell suited for use in conjunction with such materials.

Irrespective of the materials involved, the present inventions providesa rotary printing means capable of applying indicia to a wide variety ofobjects which are capable of rotation beneath a printing means,principally a spin printing device, along a curved path defined by themovement of the carrier means 154 about carrier drum 150, rather thanthe linear path used in conjunction with prior art printing devices.

To be noted too is that other equivalent means to the air jet means arecontemplated to move the body out of the pocket. Such means need not bepositioned outwardly of the drums, but it is contemplated that it couldbe positioned inwardly the drum to urge the body upwardly towards slot60.

It is noteworthy also that back guide 58' can be provided with anarcuate slot (similar to 60), like back guide 58, but that would beunnecessary since rectification of the capsules will have already beenperformed by back guide 58. However, such provision makes the two backguides interchangeable on the machinery.

As shown in FIG. 5, the radially extending portions 44 andlongitudinally extending portions 46 of feed drum pockets 40 andtransfer drum pockets 42 may be reversed from the arrangement shown inFIG. 1. Instead of the radial portions of the pockets trailing thelongitudinal portions, relative to the directions of rotation of feeddrum 28 and transfer drum 34, the radial portions may lead thelongitudinal portions. With such a reversal, the capsules will becarried by transfer drum 34 and carrier means 154 with caps 52 leadingbodies 50.

Although this invention has been described in conjunction with certainspecific forms and certain modifications thereof, it will be appreciatedthat a wide variety of other modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention. For example, some of the features ofthe invention may be used independently of other features, including theuse or non-use of the vacuum chest and the use or non-use of othermeans. The capsule turning is capable of uses independent of spinprinting, although it is admirably adapted for that use.

Especially equivalent means to achieve the stated and implicitobjectives are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, severaldescribed components are optional, as described above. Accordingly, inaccordance with this invention, various equivalent elements may besubstituted for those shown and specifically described, and in manyinstances parts may be reversed in ways which will become apparent tothose skilled in the art, all without departing from the scope andspirit of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

Although the invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has beenmade only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details ofparts may be resorted to without departing from the scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for printing indicia on articlescomprising:means for supplying a plurality of articles which are to bemarked with indicia; conveying means for moving said articles along apredetermined path, said conveying means including (1) a plurality ofcarriers mounted for rotary movement about turning axes disposedperpendicular to said path and each having a pocket sized to receive oneof said articles and permit rotation within said pocket of said articleabout its longitudinal axis, and (2) means for rotating said carriersabout said turning axes from a position in which said pockets extend inthe direction of said path to a position in which said pockets extendtransverse to said path; and spin printing means positioned adjacentsaid path and downstream from the point at which said pockets extendtransverse to said path for applying indicia to said articles. 2.Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said conveying means include arotating drum, said predetermined path is circular, said turning axesextend along radii of said drum, and said carriers are mounted at theperiphery of said drum.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidrotating drum has a plurality of cavities peripherally spaced along itscircumference and said carriers are journalled for rotation within saidcavities.
 4. Apparatus for processing articles comprising:means forsupplying a plurality of articles which are to be processed; conveyingmeans for moving said articles along a predetermined path, saidconveying means including (1) a plurality of carriers mounted for rotarymovement about turning axes disposed perpendicular to said path and eachhaving a pocket sized to receive one of said articles and permitrotation within said pocket of said article about its longitudinal axis,and (2) means for rotating said carriers about said turning axes from aposition in which said pockets extend in the direction of said path to aposition in which said pockets extend transverse to said path; and meanspositioned adjacent said path and downstream from the point at whichsaid pockets extend transverse to said path for spinning said articlesabout their longitudinal axes.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 whereinsaid conveying means include a moving member having a plurality ofcavities spaced along its surface and said carriers are mounted forrotation within said carriers.
 6. An apparatus for receiving a pluralityof capsules each having a body and an overfitting cap from a source forfurther processing, which apparatus comprisespocket carrier drum meansin rotary arrangement relative to the source to receive the capsulesfrom the source, the pocket carrier drum means hving a plurality ofcavities peripherally spaced along its circumference which cavitiescontain a plurality of carrier means journalled for rotation within thecavities and which carrier means include pockets for retaining inposition the plurality of capsules received from the source, means forrotating the carrier means relative to the pocket carrier drum means sothat the materials are rotated from the position in which they arereceived by the pocket carrier drum means to another selected position,the source being an apparatus for rectifying the capsules for deliveryto the capsule receiving apparatus for further processing whichrectifying apparatus includes a hopper adapted to contain a plurality ofthe capsules in random orientation, which rectifying apparatuscomprises: feed drum means in rotary arrangement relative to the hopperto receive capsules from the hopper;said feed drum means comprising aplurality of peripherally spaced first pockets each adapted to receiveone of said capsules therewithin; said first pockets comprising aradially extending cavity and an intercommunicating longitudinallyextending cavity; first means which cooperates with said feed drum forselectively reorienting some of the capsules which are radially alignedin said pockets to a longitudinally aligned position within thelongitudinally extending portion of the pockets with the respectivebodies all facing in the same direction opposite to the direction ofrotation of said feed drum; transfer drum means in a substantialtangential rotary association with the feed drum means to receive thelongitudinally aligned capsules from the feed drum means;said transferdrum means comprising a plurality of peripherally spaced second pocketsadapted to be rotated into registry with the first pockets to effectcapsule transfer therebetween; said second pockets comprising alongitudinally extended cavity for receiving the capsules inlongitudinal orientation and a radially extending cavity for receivingthe capsule in radial orientation; said transfer drum means furthercomprising second means which cooperates with said drum for reorientingthe capsules which are radially aligned in said pockets to alongitudinally aligned position within the longitudinally extendingportion of the pockets; whereby all of the capsules are oriented from arandom orientation to a longitudinally oriented position for delivery tothe material receiving apparatus.